First Impressions

Unfortunately, my very first impressions of Venice weren't all that great. It was a long trip getting here, during which I wasn't very successful in my attempts to sleep, so that contributed to it. Exchanging money was depressing, since I've been to several places where the dollar goes further. The bus was easy enough to figure out, but it took some trial and error to get the vaporetti pass. I took a number, got the correct form, and paid for it, but I had trouble filling it out because I can't read Italian, not yet anyway. I did as much as I could, then took another number and went up to ask for help. The second person I talked to spoke more English and was friendlier than the first, and she helped me fill out the form and presented me with my card. Thinking myself successful, I headed off to catch my first vaporetto, only to be stopped and told I needed to purchase a ticket. I lugged my suitcase all the way back, now afraid I had somehow gotten the wrong card. I took a number and waited in line again, and ended up speaking to the woman I'd spoken to first. I don't think she was pleased to see me again; she was probably tired of dealing with "stupid tourists" all day and in need of a break. Whatever the reason, she also did not seem to understand that increasing volume does not increase a person's capability to understand a language foreign to them. Thankfully, though, when the yelling was finished, I escaped having paid for my first month's service for the vaporetti. I showed the card and the receipt to the man, he scanned it... and told me I had paid for October, and that it wouldn't work for September. I must have looked really pathetic when I asked if I'd have to go all the way back; he told me I could pay for a ticket on the boat. Things got better from there. I was happy to be on my way again, with the prospect of a bed in my near future. I found much friendlier people on the boats as well; there were always random men helping with my luggage. I wish I could have taken some of them with me to San Servolo; I had to lug all of my stuff to the third floor. Once in my room, since I was hot, tired, and miserable, the first thing I did was take a shower. After that, I went to bed. I intended to get up and do something before actually turning in for the night- I even set an alarm- but I was done for the day. I woke up this morning around 7:00, still feeling a little off. I got up and dressed and went out; I had breakfast and explored the island a little, but I ended up going back to my room for a Tums and a nap. Finally, around 11:00, I felt up to braving Venice again. If nothing else, I knew I'd feel better once I had internet access again, so I went in search of an ethernet cable. Five hours later, I was still overwhelmed by Venice, but I had my cable and was finally starting to get the hang of things. I'm still overwhelmed, and it's not quite what I was expecting. The city was bigger than I expected, and it's loud and busy. I suppose I should have expected that, considering the press of tourists. The narrow streets and bridges don't help. Here and there, though, I've begun to notice what lies beneath the vacationing chaos. When I got lost and found my way onto streets far away from the tourist areas, I found some peace and quiet, and bridges where I could stop for a moment without being shoved from all sides. Around corners I found little family shrines, flowers in window boxes, an old woman calling to her cat, clean laundry drying in a lazy breeze, and a little boy kicking a ball against a wall. After noticing some of the little things, I was more able to face the grandure and the teeming crowds of places like the Piazza di San Marco. I just need to get to know the city better.